FA TROPHY: Motormen storm through despite early scare
Written by Jeremy Hill
Redbridge 5 - Murray 19, Valdez 22, Elbi 33, J.Edwards 73, Halle 90
Dartford 1 - McClements 11
Redbridge stormed through to the second round of the FA Trophy despite suffering an 11th minute scare when the visitors took the lead through Eddie McClements.
The Darts started the game brightly and seemed to be causing the hosts problems, particularly in the centre of the field. McClements strike gave them a deserved lead after Jim Carter's shot was blocked by Richard Halle and the Darts striker reacted quickly to fire a shot low past Nicky Wilson.
The visitors' goal sparked the Motormen into life; Stevens' long throw from the right found its way to Jay Murray whose looping header beat Jimmy Simpson. Three minutes later the hosts took the lead when Yohance Lewis' corner wasn't cleared by the Darts defence and Helder Valdez scored from just inside the area with a low drive.
The Darts were still having chances of their own however, Darren Brown blazed over from the right hand side of the box when perhaps he should have crossed for the unmarked Kwabena Amaning, and Toatao Kwashi's cross was met by a lightening header by Jim Carter but directed straight at Wilson.
Just after the half hour mark, the lively Lewis crossed for Petrit Elbi who netted his first goal for the Motormen with a header over Simpson. The hosts clearly had the upper hand now and were playing the ball around with a swagger. A fast break involving Murray and Elbi resulted in Poole's shot cannoning off the crossbar with Simpson beaten.
The second half saw the hosts continue their dominance and they never really looked liked conceding a second.
Lewis took the ball down beautifully on the edge of the area, turned well and saw his shot yet again come off the woodwork. A corner a minute later was met by Richard Halle whose header was cleared off the line.
A spate of chances followed for the Motormen with Lewis at the centre of much of their creative play. Lewis provided the outlet for Redbridge's fourth goal when his cross resulted in Julian Edwards netting after Poole's shot was blocked.
Dartford's frustration was apparent and illustrated by two terrible challenges by Kwashi that resulted in his dismissal.
Substitute St Hillaire saw his shot saved well by Simpson after a neat pass from Elbi and captain Halle finished off the rout in the 90th minute when he was on the end of another Lewis corner.
Redbridge FC: Wilson, Stephens, Francis (Elbi 24), Nevill, Halle, Valdez, Lewis, Craig Edwards, Julian Edwards (St Hillaire 80), Poole, Murray (Skerrit 87). Subs not used: Bull, Madiokoka.
Dartford FC: Simpson, Brown, Osborne (c), Penfold, Avery, Sykes, Kwashi, Maguire (Elmes 70), Carter, McClements, Amaning (Pearson 46). Subs not used: O'Keefe, Murefu, Knight.
Sent off: Kwashi 85
Attendance: 97
